289 First Nations people in B.C. died from toxic drugs in 2025 - Parksville Qualicum News Health authority says First Nations continue to be disproportionately represented in annual data

"The [ #BritishColumbia ] First Nations Health Authority released the 2025 data on the #toxicdrug crisis’s impact on #FirstNations people... This year, the presentation focused on the resilience of young people impacted by the crisis" #health #BC #Canada pqbnews.com/2026/04/15/2...

Politicization of drug solutions makes it harder to save lives: provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she is disappointed by the provincial rollback of harm-reduction approaches.

"The vilification of people who use drugs and the politicization of evidence-based solutions are making efforts to save lives harder, says #BC ’s provincial health officer [on] the 10th anniversary of #toxicdrug deaths being declared a #publichealth emergency" www.timescolonist.com/local-news/p...

An overdose of grief: Ten years into the crisis, the toxic-drug toll continues to mount The sheer scope of grief hanging over families and friends of those who have died in the toxic drug crisis is unprecedented in B.C.’s history.

"People living #homeless represent just 12% of #toxicdrug deaths. ...88% of the 18,000-plus people killed in #BC 's crisis come from every walk of life. The sheer scope of the #grief hanging over all those collective families and friend groups is unprecedented" www.timescolonist.com/islander/an-...

‘Mass Death on This Scale Is Incomprehensible’ | The Tyee Overdose deaths are trending down, but BC is still in the thick of a crisis. Here’s what the data tells us.

"There were fewer drug poisonings, #overdoses and fatalities in 2025, compared with 2024. But #BritishColumbia is still in the midst of a brutal unregulated #toxicdrug #overdose crisis" #BC #publichealth #fentanyl thetyee.ca/News/2026/03...

"New research using drug-checking results could provide insight into why #toxicdrug deaths have been on a downward trend for the last two years in #BC But as the CBC's Janella Hamilton reports, advocates say now is the time to ramp up #harmreduction services." #BritishColumbia youtu.be/-P-Hvjb8gRQ

The DTES ‘problem’ is not a housing problem, SRO employee says | Globalnews.ca Global News requested an interview with Larry Campbell, who is more than halfway through his six-month $92,000 contract, but we have yet to receive a response from Eby’s office.

"As the #BC government deals with two failed policies designed to address the #toxicdrug crisis, a worker on the front lines of the worsening situation in #Vancouver 's #DowntownEastside says politicians have been tackling the wrong problem for years." #BritishColumbia globalnews.ca/news/1161972...

‘New wave of nurses’ integrating harm reduction into health care in B.C. - Nanaimo News Bulletin Vancouver Island University students host harm reduction panel, naloxone training

"VIU @viuniversity.bsky.social fourth-year #nursing students hosted a #harmreduction education panel along with the VIU #HarmReduction Alliance, intending to raise awareness about the #toxicdrug crisis, challenge #stigma and foster a safer community." #Nanaimo #BC nanaimobulletin.com/2025/12/11/n...

B.C. sees record number of 911 calls about toxic drug overdoses, health authority says | CBC News The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) said that British Columbia has seen a record number of 911 calls related to toxic drug poisonings, as officials issue warnings about an increasingly tainted s...

"The #FirstNations #Health Authority (FNHA) said that #BritishColumbia has seen a record number of 911 calls related to #toxicdrug poisonings, as officials issue warnings about an increasingly tainted supply." #Vancouver #BC @thefnha.bsky.social #Canada #medetomidine www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

B.C. drug club co-founder surprised by lack of 'urgency' from Health Canada on crisis VANCOUVER - A co-founder of Vancouver's Drug User Liberation Front said he was surprised by Health Canada's lack of "urgency" about the deadly toxic drug crisis, and the absence of

"The group wanted to figure out a way to work with Health #Canada to operate the drug "compassion club," to test illicit drugs and supply high-purity substances to club members to reduce #overdoses" #Vancouver #BC #publichealth #overdose #toxicdrug www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/b-c...

Vigil held for lives lost to toxic drug crisis in Campbell River In the past six and a half weeks, at least 13 people have died from suspected overdoses in Campbell River

"A vigil was held in #CampbellRiver on Sunday afternoon as shock and sadness from the number of lives lost to the #toxicdrug crisis in recent weeks continues to be felt throughout the community." #VancouverIsland #BC #BritishColumbia www.campbellrivermirror.com/local-news/v...

Overdose awareness walk in Crofton calls for change Jeni’s Steps event unites community in grief, hope and a call to end the crisis

"The event was organized by Chadd Cawson, who began the walk in 2018 in memory of his sister Jeni, who died of an #overdose in 2017. ...the event aims to provide space for remembrance, healing and connection for those impacted by the #toxicdrug crisis." www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/local-news/o...

Harm reduction education highlighted to keep students safe at Vancouver Island University — CHLY 101.7FM: Listener Supported in Nanaimo BC. As many new and returning students are settling into campus life at Vancouver Island University, students through the campus health and wellness centre want to educate students to make sure they know ...

"As many new and returning students are settling into campus life at @viuniversity.bsky.social, students through the campus #health and #wellness centre want to educate students to make sure they know the impacts of the ongoing #toxicdrug crisis" #Nanaimo #BC @chly.ca www.chly.ca/local-news/2...

‘A dire need for services’: Tŝilhqot’in Nation to open treatment facility amid toxic drug crisis An Indigenous-focused program in partnership with Red Road Recovery is expected to begin later this year at two properties west of Williams Lake

"After declaring a state of emergency over the #toxicdrug crisis last April, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation is set to open a new #Indigenous-led treatment facility later this year...at two properties located about 100 kilometres west of #WilliamsLake" #BritishColumbia #Canada indiginews.com/news/tsilhqo...

Harm reduction and recovery advocate speaks in Port Alberni 'Behind ever human being you've ever seen on the street, there's a story'

"Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day...the #PortAlberni Community Action Team hosted advocate Guy Felicella to speak to community members who are concerned about the #toxicdrug crisis." #BC @overdoseday.bsky.social @guyfelicella.bsky.social www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/local-news/h...

B.C. sending 1,600 overdose prevention kits to post-secondary schools : My Comox Valley Now Get the latest Comox Valley & Courtenay news, events, weather updates, community contests, and live radio via 98.9 Jet FM on My Comox Valley Now—your go-to source for local happenings and information.

“Every life lost to the #toxicdrug crisis is a profound tragedy for our communities, and I expect all public post-secondary institutions to take steps to protect students,” said #BC 's post-secondary education and future skills minister Jessie Sunner www.mycomoxvalleynow.com/113376/news/...

"How to approach the #toxicdrug crisis is the matter of much debate – but most agree more help needs to be available for those who want it." youtu.be/PC2n-5yWJPc

Greater Victoria prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day 2 public gatherings will honour the more than 16,000 people in B.C. lost to toxic drug poisonings since 2016

"Two public gatherings in #Victoria this month will honour lives lost to #toxicdrug #poisonings and call for stronger action to address the ongoing crisis" #overdoseawarenessday #VancouverIsland #BC #Canada @momsstoptheharm.bsky.social www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/g...

B.C. teen who died of drug overdose remembered with moment of silence at his school | Globalnews.ca Karen and Greg Dunlap said they hope that by sharing their son's story, it will spark more discussion about addiction and mental health.

"The parents of a #Vancouver teen who died of an #overdose in November spent what would have been his 17th birthday at his high school to remember him and raise awareness about the #toxicdrug crisis" #fentanyl #BC #BritishColumbia #Canada globalnews.ca/news/1113362...

Harm reduction alliance holds grief fire in Nanaimo to mourn toxic drug deaths This week marks nine years since the toxic drug crisis was declared a public health emergency

"Community members gathered at @viuniversity.bsky.social to solemnly grieve loved ones lost, as calenders mark the ninth anniversary since #BC declared a #publichealth emergency on the #toxicdrug crisis" #Nanaimo #BritishColumbia #Canada www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/h...

‘These save lives’: Pop-up overdose prevention returns to Victoria hospital Since 2016, more than 14,000 people have died from toxic drugs in B.C.

"Volunteers set up a temporary, unsanctioned #overdoseprevention site ( #OPS ) a few blocks from #Victoria 's Royal Jubilee Hospital on the morning of April 13, on the eve of the ninth anniversary of #BC 's #toxicdrug #publichealth emergency" #VancouverIsland #Canada www.vicnews.com/local-news/t...

Comox Valley Hospice Society receives funding from Community Action Initiative $80,000 will be received over the next three years

"It has been nearly a decade since the #toxicdrug crisis was declared a #publichealth emergency in #BC, #youth across the province have been profoundly impacted by deaths within their families and communities" #bereavement #ComoxValley #VancouverIsland #BC www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/local-news/c...

BC provides update on drug use legislation and backpeddling of decriminalization BC’s newly appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg, has released a statement regarding the  official repealing of the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances...

"[Solicitor General Garry] Begg says that #BC ’s decriminalizing efforts have been important in addressing the current #toxicdrug crisis ...he added that this endeavour needs to be balanced with allowing people to enjoy drug-free community spaces." #decriminalization victoriabuzz.com/2024/12/bc-p...

Nanaimo cabinet minister gets back to work on poverty reduction Nanaimo-Gabriola MLA part of 'continuity team' in B.C. cabinet

"Challenges that we see people grappling with in #Nanaimo around #housing & the cost of living, transportation... are the same across the entire country...the #toxicdrug crisis hit Nanaimo earlier & harder..." #povertyreduction #VancouverIsland #BC www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/n...